Texas AG Ken Paxton has fired or put on leave 4 of 7 whistleblowers accusing him of bribery

essentialsaltes · Nov 9, 2023

essentialsaltes said:
Nate Paul, close associate of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, faces eight felony counts
The 23-page federal indictment accuses Paul of making false statements to mortgage lenders and credit unions to secure business loans. The court filing indicates the alleged financial crimes occurred in 2017 and 2018.

Make that twelve felony counts.

Nate Paul, the businessman at the center of Ken Paxton’s impeachment, charged with four new federal crimes

During the impeachment trial, whistleblowers testified they believed Paul to be a criminal and were concerned that Paxton was essentially turning the keys of the office over to him.

The U.S. attorney for the Western District of Texas filed an amended indictment charging Paul, 36, with four counts of wire fraud related to allegations that he lied to business partners who invested in real estate with his company, World Class Holdings, and its affiliates.

essentialsaltes · Dec 3, 2023

essentialsaltes said:
Conservative PAC leader’s meeting with white supremacist Nick Fuentes leads to condemnations, escalates GOP infighting
House Speaker Dade Phelan strongly condemned the leader of a major conservative PAC and demanded that elected officials — including Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick — return money they received from the group, one day after The Texas Tribune reported that it had recently hosted well-known white supremacist Nick Fuentes. Fuentes is an avowed admirer of Adolf Hitler, has called for “holy war” against Jews and said that "all I want is revenge against my enemies and a total Aryan victory.”

Not too much condemnation.

Texas GOP executive committee rejects proposed ban on associating with Nazi sympathizers

Two months after a prominent conservative activist and fundraiser was caught hosting white supremacist Nick Fuentes, leaders of the Republican Party of Texas voted against barring the party from associating with Nazi sympathizers and Holocaust deniers.

In a 32-29 vote on Saturday, members of the Texas GOP’s executive committee stripped a pro-Israel resolution of a clause that would have included the ban— delivering a major blow to a faction that has called for the party to confront its ties to groups that have recently employed, elevated or associated with outspoken white supremacists or antisemitic figures.

[The 'vagueness' of words like "antisemitism" was a cause for concern.]

“It could put you on a slippery slope,” said committee member Dan Tully.

“I just don’t understand how people who routinely refer to others as leftists, liberals, communists, socialists and RINOs (‘Republicans in Name Only’) don’t have the discernment to define what a Nazi is,” committee member Morgan Cisneros Graham told the Tribune after the vote.

rambot · Dec 3, 2023

essentialsaltes said:
Not too much condemnation.

Texas GOP executive committee rejects proposed ban on associating with Nazi sympathizers
Two months after a prominent conservative activist and fundraiser was caught hosting white supremacist Nick Fuentes, leaders of the Republican Party of Texas voted against barring the party from associating with Nazi sympathizers and Holocaust deniers.

In a 32-29 vote on Saturday, members of the Texas GOP’s executive committee stripped a pro-Israel resolution of a clause that would have included the ban— delivering a major blow to a faction that has called for the party to confront its ties to groups that have recently employed, elevated or associated with outspoken white supremacists or antisemitic figures.

[The 'vagueness' of words like "antisemitism" was a cause for concern.]

“It could put you on a slippery slope,” said committee member Dan Tully.

“I just don’t understand how people who routinely refer to others as leftists, liberals, communists, socialists and RINOs (‘Republicans in Name Only’) don’t have the discernment to define what a Nazi is,” committee member Morgan Cisneros Graham told the Tribune after the vote.

I wonder if conservatives consider this disappointing, great, embarrassing?

At some point we may have to accept that the majority of conservatives have no real problem associating with neonazis. I think liberals have a healthy awareness of it already...maybe conservatives need to figure it out.

No problems with neo nazis.

Big problems with a dude in a dress and heels.

One filled with hate...one with love.

essentialsaltes · Dec 21, 2023

Ken Paxton and aides ordered to answer questions under oath in whistleblower case

At a hearing Wednesday in Austin, Judge Jan Soifer granted the whistleblowers’ motion to compel the depositions of Paxton; Brent Webster, the first assistant attorney general; Lesley French Henneke, chief of staff at the agency; and Michelle Smith, Paxton’s longtime political aide.

The whistleblowers are four former top deputies — Blake Brickman, Ryan Vassar, David Maxwell and Mark Penley — who sued Paxton in 2020, arguing he improperly fired them after they reported him to the FBI. They alleged he was abusing his office to help a wealthy friend and donor, Nate Paul.

They came close to settling with Paxton for $3.3 million in February, but the Texas House balked at using taxpayer dollars for the figure and decided to investigate the underlying claims. That triggered Paxton’s impeachment by the House in May. The Senate acquitted him after a trial in September.

essentialsaltes · Feb 6, 2024

essentialsaltes said:
Ken Paxton and aides ordered to answer questions under oath in whistleblower case

Paxton really really really does not want to testify under oath.

Ken Paxton says he'll accept judgment, won't contest facts in whistleblower case

Attorney General Ken Paxton sought Thursday [1/18] to end the long-running whistleblower lawsuit against him - and avoid sitting for a deposition - by saying he would no longer contest the facts of the case and was prepared to accept any judgment.

The move came after he appeared to exhaust his options to reverse a Travis County judge's order that he and three top aides answer questions under oath.

Judge again rejects AG Ken Paxton's motion to block his deposition in whistleblower case

Specifically, Paxton's attorney, Bill Helfand, sought an emergency ruling to negate Soifer's Jan. 19 order compelling depositions by him and several top aides in his office, an order that was handed down one day after Paxton unexpectedly filed a motion signaling his intent to accept a final ruling in the case and no longer contesting the whistleblowers' accusations.

Texas Supreme Court blocks Ken Paxton deposition for now

A stay issued Tuesday afternoon by the Texas Supreme Court will temporarily put off a court-ordered deposition from Attorney General Ken Paxton in the lawsuit brought by his former top aides.

(also)

Texas AG Ken Paxton spent $2.3M in campaign cash on legal fees from impeachment

Ana the Ist · Feb 7, 2024

essentialsaltes said:
The attorney general's office has sidelined four of the seven whistleblowers who reported Ken Paxton to law enforcement
Two were fired and two placed on leave — moves employment attorneys say will likely spark a whistleblower lawsuit. A spokesperson for Paxton said the personnel changes were not related to the whistleblower allegations.

The aides, who represented a large share of the agency’s most senior staff, alerted law enforcement and then agency human resources that they believed Paxton was using the power of his office to serve a political donor, Austin real estate developer Nate Paul.

Under Texas law, an employer who fires a whistleblower within 90 days of that whistleblower’s report is “presumed” to be retaliating against the employee because of the report. The actions against Penley, Maxwell, Brickman, Mase and Vassar all occurred squarely within that three-month window.

Well if you saw the trial....that was one of the worst things I've ever seen.

We formed a a belief, in good faith, the AG was engaged in criminal activity.

We had no evidence we could point to.

essentialsaltes · Mar 1, 2024

Texas court dismisses Paxton lawsuit against Yelp over crisis pregnancy center labeling

After the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade with the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision, Yelp began notifying users that crisis pregnancy centers “typically provide limited medical services and may not have licensed medical professionals onsite.”

Paxton sued Yelp last September, arguing that the language was misleading.

The company said Paxton’s lawsuit “sets a dangerous precedent” by using his power and office as a government official “to politicize and punish speech on issues that he disagrees with.”
</sidebar>

essentialsaltes · May 29, 2024

essentialsaltes said:
Texas Republicans’ internecine fights overshadow special session
“This is very akin to what is going on at the federal level right now [the removal of Speaker McCarthy],” said Brendan Steinhauser, a Republican strategist based in Austin. “You have leadership of the Republican Party … trying to fend off challenges from the grassroots, certainly populist wing of the party.”

The state is run largely by the “Big Three” gatekeepers: Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who presides over the Senate, and House Speaker Dade Phelan.

[They've been sniping at each other over many issues, but the impeachment trial has poured gas on the flames]

[Phelan's] tenure as House speaker could be determined as soon as Monday. The party’s right flank has vowed to unseat him, saying he is a Democratic sympathizer [them's fightin' words!]

The political action committee Defend Texas Liberty is already looking ahead to next March’s primary and recruiting candidates to run against House Republicans who voted to impeach Paxton, Steinhauser said. “They’re going to put real money into that effort. They’re branding Dade a certain way: ‘California Drunk Dade,’ a liberal out to get conservatives.”

Texas Speaker Dade Phelan wins most expensive [state] House [primary] race in state history

Speaker of the Texas House Dade Phelan won the Republican party nomination in a hotly-contested primary for his Southeast Texas district against David Covey, the challenger backed by former President Donald Trump, Attorney General Ken Paxton, and other conservatives who were hoping to oust Phelan from his post.

Phelan won by fewer than two percentage points in a race separated by only 366 votes. The two campaigns, along with outside advocacy groups, spent about $8 million on advertising alone, making it the most expensive race for a House seat in Texas history.

Despite a conservative record, Phelan found himself under attack from within his own party over the last year, after the House voted to impeach Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.

The Covey campaign swiftly condemned Phelan’s win as a “steal,” accusing Phelan of courting Democrats to cross over into the Republican primary. They have shown no evidence of that claim. Texas primaries are open, meaning any voter can participate in either party primary.

Pommer · May 29, 2024

essentialsaltes said:
Texas Speaker Dade Phelan wins most expensive [state] House [primary] race in state history
Speaker of the Texas House Dade Phelan won the Republican party nomination in a hotly-contested primary for his Southeast Texas district against David Covey, the challenger backed by former President Donald Trump, Attorney General Ken Paxton, and other conservatives who were hoping to oust Phelan from his post.

Phelan won by fewer than two percentage points in a race separated by only 366 votes. The two campaigns, along with outside advocacy groups, spent about $8 million on advertising alone, making it the most expensive race for a House seat in Texas history.

Despite a conservative record, Phelan found himself under attack from within his own party over the last year, after the House voted to impeach Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.

The Covey campaign swiftly condemned Phelan’s win as a “steal,” accusing Phelan of courting Democrats to cross over into the Republican primary. They have shown no evidence of that claim. Texas primaries are open, meaning any voter can participate in either party primary.

$8M on a Texas House seat?
It’s like they want us to think power is the new thing people want to “invest” in, for a better return and offices that are for-sale.
Shameless.

A2SG · May 29, 2024

essentialsaltes said:
Texas Speaker Dade Phelan wins most expensive [state] House [primary] race in state history
Speaker of the Texas House Dade Phelan won the Republican party nomination in a hotly-contested primary for his Southeast Texas district against David Covey, the challenger backed by former President Donald Trump, Attorney General Ken Paxton, and other conservatives who were hoping to oust Phelan from his post.

Phelan won by fewer than two percentage points in a race separated by only 366 votes. The two campaigns, along with outside advocacy groups, spent about $8 million on advertising alone, making it the most expensive race for a House seat in Texas history.

Despite a conservative record, Phelan found himself under attack from within his own party over the last year, after the House voted to impeach Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.

The Covey campaign swiftly condemned Phelan’s win as a “steal,” accusing Phelan of courting Democrats to cross over into the Republican primary. They have shown no evidence of that claim. Texas primaries are open, meaning any voter can participate in either party primary.

Well, I guess, at least, it's nice to know republicans are spending money on things other than Trump's lawyers.

-- A2SG, maybe Guiliani should find a way to get in on that action....

essentialsaltes · Apr 10, 2025

essentialsaltes said:
Paxton's wife is a state senator; she won't vote, but will have to be present for the impeachment trial over his abuse of power and alleged affair
(awkward)

Paxton is now running to replace GOP Senator Cornyn.

John Cornyn Nukes GOP Primary Challenger in Scorched Earth Attack: ‘Ken Claims to Be a Man of Faith…’

Cornyn, who is often seen as the more moderate Texas senator, released a statement hammering Paxton over his many recent scandals – including an impeachment trial over allegations he sold the powers of his office.

“Ken Paxton is a fraud. He talks tough on crime and then lets crooked progressive Lina Hidalgo off the hook. He says his impeachment trial was a sham, but he didn’t contest the facts in legal filings, which will cost the state millions,” Cornyn said, adding:

And Ken claims to be a man of faith but uses fake Uber accounts to meet his girlfriend and deceive his family.
This will be a spirited campaign and we assure Texans they will have a real choice when this race is over.

RileyG · Apr 10, 2025

Wow. Nothing surprises me anymore.

SMH

Texas AG Ken Paxton has fired or put on leave 4 of 7 whistleblowers accusing him of bribery

Fact-Based Lifeform

Nate Paul, close associate of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, faces eight felony counts​

Nate Paul, the businessman at the center of Ken Paxton’s impeachment, charged with four new federal crimes​

Fact-Based Lifeform

Conservative PAC leader’s meeting with white supremacist Nick Fuentes leads to condemnations, escalates GOP infighting​

Texas GOP executive committee rejects proposed ban on associating with Nazi sympathizers​

Senior Member

Texas GOP executive committee rejects proposed ban on associating with Nazi sympathizers​

Fact-Based Lifeform

Ken Paxton and aides ordered to answer questions under oath in whistleblower case​

Fact-Based Lifeform

Ken Paxton and aides ordered to answer questions under oath in whistleblower case​

Ken Paxton says he'll accept judgment, won't contest facts in whistleblower case​

Judge again rejects AG Ken Paxton's motion to block his deposition in whistleblower case​

Texas Supreme Court blocks Ken Paxton deposition for now​

Texas AG Ken Paxton spent $2.3M in campaign cash on legal fees from impeachment​

Aggressively serene!

Fact-Based Lifeform

Texas court dismisses Paxton lawsuit against Yelp over crisis pregnancy center labeling​

Fact-Based Lifeform

Texas Republicans’ internecine fights overshadow special session​

Texas Speaker Dade Phelan wins most expensive [state] House [primary] race in state history​

CoPacEtiC SkEpTic

Texas Speaker Dade Phelan wins most expensive [state] House [primary] race in state history​

Gumby

Texas Speaker Dade Phelan wins most expensive [state] House [primary] race in state history​

Fact-Based Lifeform

Paxton's wife is a state senator; she won't vote, but will have to be present for the impeachment trial over his abuse of power and alleged affair ​

John Cornyn Nukes GOP Primary Challenger in Scorched Earth Attack: ‘Ken Claims to Be a Man of Faith…’​

Veteran

Similar threads

Nate Paul, close associate of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, faces eight felony counts

Nate Paul, the businessman at the center of Ken Paxton’s impeachment, charged with four new federal crimes

Conservative PAC leader’s meeting with white supremacist Nick Fuentes leads to condemnations, escalates GOP infighting

Texas GOP executive committee rejects proposed ban on associating with Nazi sympathizers

Texas GOP executive committee rejects proposed ban on associating with Nazi sympathizers

Ken Paxton and aides ordered to answer questions under oath in whistleblower case

Ken Paxton and aides ordered to answer questions under oath in whistleblower case

Ken Paxton says he'll accept judgment, won't contest facts in whistleblower case

Judge again rejects AG Ken Paxton's motion to block his deposition in whistleblower case

Texas Supreme Court blocks Ken Paxton deposition for now

Texas AG Ken Paxton spent $2.3M in campaign cash on legal fees from impeachment

Texas court dismisses Paxton lawsuit against Yelp over crisis pregnancy center labeling

Texas Republicans’ internecine fights overshadow special session

Texas Speaker Dade Phelan wins most expensive [state] House [primary] race in state history

Texas Speaker Dade Phelan wins most expensive [state] House [primary] race in state history

Texas Speaker Dade Phelan wins most expensive [state] House [primary] race in state history

Paxton's wife is a state senator; she won't vote, but will have to be present for the impeachment trial over his abuse of power and alleged affair

John Cornyn Nukes GOP Primary Challenger in Scorched Earth Attack: ‘Ken Claims to Be a Man of Faith…’